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Post by title1parent on Oct 23, 2008 5:07:41 GMT -5
Parking lot repairs planned October 23, 2008
Sun staff
The city of Naperville plans to conduct routine maintenance on the Burlington parking lot located at the downtown Naperville Metra station and the parking lot at the Route 59 Metra Station Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting.
The city is asking that train riders using the downtown Naperville Metra station this weekend park in the Parkview Lot, located on the south side of the tracks, or the Kroehler Lot, located at 5th Avenue and North Brainard Street. Signs will be posted in the Burlington lot to direct commuters needing to park in this location.
Maintenance work will also be conducted on the parking lot at the Route 59 Metra station. Signs will be posted to direct commuters where to park at this location as well. The city requests that commuters park in designated areas only.
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Post by asmodeus on Oct 24, 2008 18:11:24 GMT -5
Just saw a sign saying there will be TWO southbound lanes closed on 59 between 75th and Montgomery starting Oct 31. The sign said to expect MAJOR delays. This stretch of 59 is already ridiculous during evening rush. Wonderful.
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Post by title1parent on Oct 29, 2008 5:15:43 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1247559,6_1_NA29_BOOKROAD_S1.article Officials focus on Book Road extensionResidents say plan is 'Road to Nowhere' October 29, 2008 By HANK BECKMAN Special to The Sun Naperville officials say the planned extension of Book Road from 111th Street to 117th Street is an essential part of the city's long-range plan. But some area residents are calling it the "Road to Nowhere." More than 60 residents of the High Meadow and South Pointe subdivisions turned out Tuesday at the Graham Elementary School to view plans for the road that will connect Naperville and the village of Plainfield. "It parallels Route 59 and provides more transportation options system that the city needs badly," City Engineer Bob Kozurek said, citing the chronic bottleneck at Route 59 and 111th Street. "It will also give better access to the subdivisions." The extension will be in the existing public right-of-way and be bordered by the Will County Forest Preserve District on the east and High Meadow and South Pointe subdivisions on the west. The plan includes coordinating the extension with Plainfield, whose officials are committed to extending the road further to 119th Street. Three options were presented to the visitors, each along the same 100-foot wide path but all slightly different. While all three plans have a bike path on the west side of the road, one has a berm - also on the west side - and another will feature a drainage ditch to help prevent flooding. In addition, the Forest Preserve District of Will County plans several amenities for the area between the road and the river, including a picnic shelter, bike rack (and trail) and a canoe launch at the DuPage River. Not everyone is happy with the plan. "I'm part of a group of citizens concerned about it coming so close to our backyards," High Meadow resident Michael Meis said. Meis handed out a flier opposing the plan, citing Naperville's budget deficit, the $3.5 million cost of the project and dubbing it the "Road to Nowhere." Meis said that the planned extension came within 30 feet of his yard. "We have environmental and aesthetic concerns ... we're worried about noise." His neighbor Marc Poulos agreed. "They will be pushing 18-wheel traffic (from the nearby quarry) in an area where people walk their dogs and kids use a slope for sledding," Poulos said. Kozurek said the traffic and noise shouldn't be a problem, noting that while some houses were close to the property, the road was farther away than 30 feet and the rows of planted trees would reduce sound. Kozurek also said that the plan was postponed because it was dependant on Plainfield completing its part of the extension and, being contingent on real estate development, it was held up by the soft economy. He said the city was committed to the project, but now looking at a 2021 completion date. "It all depends on Plainfield," he said. And that is just what is making some of the residents nervous. "It would cause people to cut through the subdivision to avoid Route 59," High Meadow resident Dave Krason said of the possibility that Plainfield would not follow through on its part of the plan. "I'm against it if it's going to cause more traffic," Realtor and South Pointe resident Karen Spangler said. "The intersection of Champion (her street) and Route 59 is already dangerous." But Naperville Project Engineer Jennifer Louden said the city is not even planning for a project without Plainfield's cooperation. "The timeline is all we're unsure of," she said. The plans will go before Naperville's Transportation Advisory Board on Saturday for review before presentation to the full City Council.
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Post by title1parent on Nov 4, 2008 6:17:21 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1257942,6_8_NA04_I55_S1.article Third lane opens on I-55Lobbying pays off to reduce gridlock between Weber, I-80 November 4, 2008 By PATRICK FERRELL The Herald News ROMEOVILLE -- An extra few feet of pavement greeted drivers Oct. 29 on Interstate 55 in northern Will County. Meanwhile, electronic message boards above heralded the expressway's expansion from two lanes to three in each direction. "I saw the most beautiful sign when I was driving here," U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert, R-Hinsdale, said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Plainfield. "It was a sign saying, 'I-55 open three lanes between Weber Road and I-80.' I was so excited." The completion of the $165 million, two-year project means there are three lanes in each direction on the interstate from Interstate 80 in Will County and Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. "Interstate 55 is an integral piece of not only our county's infrastructure, but our nation's infrastructure," Will County Executive Larry Walsh said. "It is the gateway to the Midwest. It brings millions of people between Chicago and St. Louis each year." Safety and capacity The extra lanes give added capacity for the 120,000 vehicles that travel the section of interstate each day. "You won't see the backups ... in the morning and evening rush," said Diane O'Keefe, an Illinois Department of Transportation engineer who serves as the deputy director of highways. More important than the extra capacity, O'Keefe said, are the added safety features. From 2001 to 2004, that section of the interstate saw 908 accidents, or about one every work day. Nearly 50 of the accidents caused injuries, while 24 were fatal. Most were caused by rear-end collisions or crossovers, O'Keefe said. The extra capacity will limit the number of rear-end collisions and a concrete wall replaced a grassy median, meaning crossover accidents will be eliminated, O'Keefe said. In addition, the project includes longer left turn lanes at the Weber Road and I-55 interchange, historically one of the state's most dangerous intersections. "This is a great project that will open up a lot of opportunities. And, it's a very safe roadway now," Romeoville Mayor John Noak said. Construction plans Wednesday's ribbon-cutting ceremony included speeches from nine legislators. Most gave a majority of the credit for keeping the project on the forefront to state Rep. Brent Hassert, R-Romeoville. "He was in there every day convincing the governor that this was needed yesterday," House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, said. Most politicians also used the opportunity to further lobby for a multibillion-dollar capital improvement plan to reconstruct roads, bridges and public buildings throughout the state. "I can assure you your legislators have been working toward a capital bill," state Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, said. "In these economic times, we need to be creating jobs, and this capital bill will do that." Outside of the capital bill, IDOT said its next major project in Will County will include the widening of Route 59 from Lockport Street in Plainfield to Jefferson Street in Shorewood and the reconstruction of the Route 59 and I-55 interchange.
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Post by title1parent on Nov 10, 2008 5:53:47 GMT -5
www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=249428&src=1It's deer season -- on the roadBy Teresa Schmedding | Daily Herald 11/10/2008 Love is in the air - for deer, that is. And that means it's time for suburban drivers to be extra cautious, as the four-legged suitors dash across roads hoping to find a mate. More than 500,000 deer-car crashes occur each year in the United States, with the majority in November and December, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Here are some tips from SmartMotorist.com to help you avoid a crash with a deer: • Be vigilant during early morning and evening hours when deer are most active. • Use your high-beam headlights, which will reflect in the deer's eyes so you can see them better. • Blow your horn with one long blast to frighten a deer away. • Brake firmly rather than swerving, which confuses a deer trying to dodge your car (and you can run off the road or hit another car). • Deer seldom run alone. When you see one, look out for another. • Pay attention to deer crossing signs - they really are there for a reason. • If you hit a deer, don't touch it. Injured animals can hurt you or themselves more. Move your car off the road and call police.
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Post by title1parent on Nov 14, 2008 6:20:21 GMT -5
Route 31 tollway ramps set to reopen November 14, 2008
Beacon News Staff AURORA -- The eastbound Interstate 88 entrance ramp at Route 31 is scheduled to reopen in time for Monday morning's rush hour, according to the Illinois Toll Highway Authority.
The ramp has been closed as part of the ongoing rebuilding and widening project between the Aurora toll plaza and Orchard Road that began earlier this year.
The project, which is nearing its halfway point, marks another milestone with the reopening of the westbound entrance ramp for the Nov. 21 morning commute, toll officials said.
In December, the eastbound portion of the work and the new Fox River bridge will be complete and all lanes reopened.
Both of the Route 31 exit ramps, as well as the previously closed ramp at Orchard Road, have all been reopened.
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Post by title1parent on Nov 21, 2008 6:25:12 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1291581,6_1_NA21_TOLLWAY_S1.article Work on I-88 nears completion November 21, 2008 Sun staff The Illinois Tollway is in the final stages of completing the Reagan Memorial Tollway (Interstate 88) Rebuild and Widen Project between Finley Road and Washington Street on schedule, as part of the Congestion-Relief Program - Open Roads for a Faster Future. Completion of this project means drivers will have four lanes of new pavement in both directions in the 10-mile section between Finley Road and Route 59. Congestion-relief efforts will become increasing evident to drivers in the coming weeks in the 23-mile corridor from Oak Brook to North Aurora, as the tollway reaches the halfway mark on completion of three additional Rebuild and Widen projects under way - Orchard Road to the Aurora Toll Plaza, Finley Road to Route 83, and Route 83 to York Road. CARPOOL LANES GET GREEN LIGHT The Illinois Tollway board on Thursday approved a proposal to spend $1.8 billion on road improvements, including $1.4 billion on interchanges and $400 million to establish carpool lanes. The "Green Lane" concept would convert the left lanes of the tollway's most congested areas into carpool lanes. If you're driving with at least one other passenger, you can use these lanes and pay the regular I-Pass rate. If you're driving by yourself, you'd have to pay a higher rate. Hybrid drivers in the express lanes would pay a toll higher than carpoolers, but less than solo drivers. The rates have not been set yet. The Tollway wants to have 80 miles of "Green Lanes" ready by 2010. The interchange improvements include building a new interchange between I-294 and I-57 in the south suburbs. -- Chicago Sun-Times As a result, the majority of traffic in the corridor will travel on new pavement through the winter. Remaining work in the corridor is on schedule for completion in 2010. New lanes open As of Wednesday morning, the westbound counterflow express lane between Finley Road and Washington Street has been removed and four new lanes are open to traffic from Yackley Road to Washington Street. Three new westbound lanes are open between Finley Road and Yackley Road, with the fourth westbound lane scheduled to open in sections as median work is completed within the next week. Eastbound traffic has been shifted to the right shoulder and three right-most lanes during westbound construction and will be re-striped during overnight hours now that the express lane is closed. It is expected to take several nights of pavement striping work to complete the eastbound traffic shift. The project from Washington Street to Finley Road includes four interchange improvements, reconstruction of six bridges, and rehabilitation of two additional bridges. New lanes coming As the project is coming to completion, several other projects on the I-88 corridor are nearing the halfway completion mark, providing new lanes to drivers within the next week. The 13-mile express lane from Route 83 to Washington Street will be shut down entirely within the next week, eliminating the counterflow lane and moving three westbound lanes onto new pavement on the westbound side of the road. Traffic in both directions between York Road and Route 83 will be shifted next week onto new pavement on the westbound side of the median, providing a winter work zone in the eastbound lanes. On the west end of the corridor, traffic between Route 31 and Orchard Road will be shifted onto three new eastbound lanes of pavement next week.
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Post by warriorpride on Nov 21, 2008 8:04:55 GMT -5
... Congestion-relief efforts will become increasing evident to drivers in the coming weeks in the 23-mile corridor from Oak Brook to North Aurora, as the tollway reaches the halfway mark on completion of three additional Rebuild and Widen projects under way - Orchard Road to the Aurora Toll Plaza, Finley Road to Route 83, and Route 83 to York Road. CARPOOL LANES GET GREEN LIGHT The Illinois Tollway board on Thursday approved a proposal to spend $1.8 billion on road improvements, including $1.4 billion on interchanges and $400 million to establish carpool lanes. The "Green Lane" concept would convert the left lanes of the tollway's most congested areas into carpool lanes. If you're driving with at least one other passenger, you can use these lanes and pay the regular I-Pass rate. If you're driving by yourself, you'd have to pay a higher rate. Hybrid drivers in the express lanes would pay a toll higher than carpoolers, but less than solo drivers. The rates have not been set yet. The Tollway wants to have 80 miles of "Green Lanes" ready by 2010. The interchange improvements include building a new interchange between I-294 and I-57 in the south suburbs. ... In other words: enjoy the new lanes while you can, since you won't be able to drive in them soon, unless you have passengers.
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Post by asmodeus on Nov 21, 2008 8:44:25 GMT -5
These HOV are proven not to work and will only add to the gridlock.
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Post by title1parent on Nov 23, 2008 6:35:15 GMT -5
Streets to close for raceNovember 23, 2008 Sun staff Naperville's annual Turkey Trot will be held Thursday. Several street closures and no parking/tow zones will be in effect the day of the event. The race route will be designated as a no parking, tow zone from 5 to 10 a.m. The race route streets will be closed beginning at approximately 7:30 a.m. The streets will be opened by approximately 10 a.m. or when it is deemed safe. The regulations apply to the following streets: Hillside Road from Webster Street to West Street; West Street from Aurora Avenue to Rickert Drive (southbound only); Plainfield/Naperville Road from West Street to Oswego Road; and Oswego Road from Plainfield/Naperville Road to West Street. For more information about the Turkey Trot, visit www.napervilleturkeytrot.com. For more information, visit www.naperville.il.us/turkeytrot.aspx.
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Post by title1parent on Nov 25, 2008 5:36:51 GMT -5
State police to step up Thanksgiving patrols
The Thanksgiving holiday should be a joyous time for all families in America, but far too often the celebration turns to tragedy on our highways. Everyone driving on our roads this holiday week should drive carefully and defensively, not drive impaired and buckle up each and every trip.
To lose a loved one is a terrible thing to experience, especially during America's family holiday, but to lose one's life when it might have been saved by taking a few seconds to buckle a seat belt is truly senseless.
To ensure everyone reaches their destinations safely, the Illinois State Police will once again conduct the "Alive on the I's" enforcement initiative on the season's two busiest travel days (Nov. 26 and 30). Motorists traveling on Illinois' interstate highways will see a large increase in the number of troopers patrolling the highways who will be watching closely for impaired drivers, drivers and passengers who are not buckled up, speeding and aggressive drivers.
Locally, state police officers will be conducting traffic enforcement patrols and seat belt enforcement zones in DuPage, DeKalb, Lake, McHenry and Kane counties with the support and assistance of county and local law enforcement agencies.
Report drunken drivers by calling 911 from your cell phone. Drink responsibly and use or be a designated driver. Buckle up and make sure your passengers are wearing seat belts.
The Illinois State Police wishes everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
Captain Jeff Hedrich
Illinois State Police
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Post by title1parent on Dec 13, 2008 7:11:18 GMT -5
I-88 eastbound will be one lane today
December 13, 2008
By MATT HANLEY mhanley@scn1.com Drivers could see delays on Interstate 88 today, as lanes are shifted to finish construction on the eastbound half of the road.
By 6 a.m., there will be only one eastbound lane from Orchard Road to the tool booths near Route 31. The closures are in preparation for reopening of all three eastbound lanes by 5 p.m. today.
Workers will be putting the lane lines on eastbound I-88. While this work is under way, the single remaining eastbound lane will be routed through the cash side of the Aurora toll plaza, although three cash toll booths and one I-Pass lane will be open.
After 5 p.m. today, the new Route 31 bridge will be open. There will be two eastbound lanes and the auxiliary lane from Route 31 and three lanes open at the eastbound toll plaza.
Later this month, eastbound traffic will be shifted onto the new eastbound Fox River bridge so work can begin to demolish the westbound bridge, which will be reconstructed in 2009. At that point there will be two westbound lanes between the toll booths and Orchard Road.
Throughout all this time, the interstate will remain a construction zone on both sides of the highway, so the speed limit will be 45 mph.
All of this work is part of a $6.3 billion rebuilding and widening project that is under way along a 23-mile stretch of Interstate 88 between Oak Brook and North Aurora.
According to the Illinois Tollway Authority, all the roadwork is scheduled for completion in 2009.
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Post by title1parent on Dec 17, 2008 6:50:12 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1334804,6_1_NA17_REDLIGHT_S1.article Naperville's red light cameras to begin operationDecember 17, 2008 Sun staff The city of Naperville is slated to begin operating automated red light photo enforcement cameras the week of Dec. 28 at the intersection of North Aurora Road and Route 59. Signs will be posted at this intersection indicating the presence of the cameras. The Naperville Police Department will issue warning citations for 30 days following activation. Once the 30-day warning period has expired, citations will be issued. "This program's main goal is to make this intersection safer," Naperville Police Department Traffic Section Sgt. Lee Martin said. "At this particular intersection, we saw 16 right angle/turning crashes in 2006 and 16 in 2007. In 2006, the Naperville Police Department issued more than 1,200 red light citations throughout the city. Through the use of these cameras at high-crash intersections, we hope to reduce the number of accidents and ultimately save lives." The intersection of North Aurora Road and Route 59 was selected because of the high number of right-turn accidents at that location. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, crashes caused by red light running result in more than 800 fatalities and 165,000 injuries annually. Citations will be issued to those violators who jeopardize the safe and efficient flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Citations will be issued to drivers who run red lights without stopping, those who make right turns against red lights without coming to a complete stop and those who stop after crossing the limit line/stop bar while making a right turn against a red light, forcing a pedestrian or bicyclist into the roadway. However, if a driver enters an intersection on a green light that turns to red before they have a chance to make a left turn, no citation will be issued. Registered vehicle owners will have the right to contest a citation through the city's new administrative hearing system for red light enforcement violations. For more detailed information on the program and administrative hearing process, visit www.naperville.il.us/redlight.aspx
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Post by gatordog on Dec 17, 2008 12:56:14 GMT -5
... The intersection of North Aurora Road and Route 59 was selected because of the high number of right-turn accidents at that location.So it sounds like the biggest problem is drivers not coming to full stop and looking (and yielding!) before making a right-turn-on-red. This implies that drivers charging through yellow lights, or even red lights, to "beat the light" when going straight or making a left turn is not so much the problem. I would have sworn this was the biggest cause of intersection accidents. Interesting....I think I learned something! Might be good advice for us parents to pass on to the young drivers in our families....and even use it ourselves
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Post by title1parent on Dec 18, 2008 6:11:48 GMT -5
www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1337602,6_1_NA18_GROUNDBREAKING_S1.article Naperville breaks ground on 75th StreetTwo-year project to add lanes, reduce congestion on roads December 18, 2008 By KATHY CICHON Staff Writer While it will still be a couple of weeks before the construction trailers arrive, the city is urging motorists who travel through the intersection of Washington and 75th streets to begin taking an alternate route now. "Start working on your alternate route before construction really ramps up," said Jennifer Runestad, public information coordinator for the city's Transportation, Engineering and Development business group. Area officials gathered Wednesday afternoon to break ground on the two-year construction project, which is a joint effort between the city, DuPage County, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and Naperville Park District. Slated for completion in 2011, the intersection improvements will help alleviate congestion by adding an additional through lane of traffic on all sides, dual left turn lanes in each direction and a dedicated right turn lane. Currently more than 65,000 vehicles a day pass through the intersection, a figure projected to increase to more than 77,000 by 2025. "We all know that during construction, commuters and residents may experience a few headaches. But, I encourage everyone to keep the future vision for the intersection in mind," Mayor A. George Pradel said. "Thank you all for your support now and for the next few years as we work to enhance the traffic flow and help to ensure safe travel for pedestrians and motorists through the 75th and Washington intersection." Prep work and utility relocation at the site began last month, and within the next few weeks motorists will begin to notice more activity that may cause occasional lane reductions, "but it won't be anything too major," Runestad said. But in March construction picks up, with traffic reduced to one lane in each direction. In addition, various side streets will be closed or restricted during construction, with signs posted to update motorists. The city is recommending that those who travel through the intersection but don't live in the area use an alternate arterial roadway. Those include Naper Boulevard, Plainfield/Naperville Road, West Street and Route 59 for north/south travel. Chicago Avenue, Aurora Avenue, Ogden Avenue, Diehl Road, 87th Street, Royce Road, Boughton Road and 111th Street are suggested for east/west travel. Those who live in the area are urged to use collector streets such as Modaff Road, Gartner Road, Olesen Road and Bailey Road. As part of the project, the DuPage River Trail from Hobson Road to Bunting Lane will be completed and two new underpasses will be built to allow pedestrians and bicyclists to pass beneath both 75th Street and Washington Street. "There will be a safe way for pedestrians and bicyclists to get through the intersection," Runestad said. "That's a major component of the project." The trail is slated to close Jan. 1 for the project. In addition, sound walls will be installed this winter on three of the four corners: between Olympus Drive and Washington on the north side of 75th; from Clyde Drive to Washington Street along the south side of 75th and from Bailey Road to just north of Tamarack Avenue on the west side of 75th.
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